Three Canadian pharmacies that fill prescriptions for Wisconsin residents through a state-sponsored Web site designed to facilitate the reimportation of lower-cost prescription drugs said they have filled just 2,299 prescriptions in the first six months of operation, and the numbers are declining, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Brent Grantham, a spokesperson for TotalCare -- one of the pharmacies in the program, which filled only 40 prescriptions in August -- said the number of prescriptions the company fills for Wisconsin residents is "negligible," possibly because residents shopping online are looking for the lowest prices. "There are other offers out there," Grantham said, adding, "If you're still paying for medications, you're going to find the best price." Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D), who launched the Web site in February, said he was not disappointed by the slow business. He added that most people in Wisconsin get prescription drugs through health insurance plans and the state's health care system for low-income residents. He said the Web site is for state residents who "aren't covered by Medicaid, aren't on BadgerCare or SeniorCare or don't have health insurance" because "this is really the only option they have" (Forster, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/7).
Michigan City Offers Bus Trips to Canada
In related news,
Warren, Mich., officials on Friday announced the city will offer a free
bus trip for seniors to buy prescription drugs in Canada, the Detroit Free Press reports. Officials
expect residents will save between 40% and 70% on the cost of their
medications. The trip is patterned after a Westland, Mich., program that
was started in 2001. Seniors will need to provide a written prescription
to the city a week prior to the trip and will only be allowed to purchase
90-day supplies for personal use. After the original trip, they can refill
medication from the Canadian pharmacy through the mail to free up space on
the bus for other seniors who want to take subsequent trips. Warren Parks
and Recreation Director Henry Bowman said the city found no legal barriers
to prevent the trip after consulting with lawyers, though it is illegal to
bring Canadian prescription drugs into the United States, the Free
Press reports. Westland Mayor Sandra Cicirelli said the city's
program was never challenged, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow's (D-Mich.) office
has contacted city officials to make sure the program is running smoothly.
According to Cicirelli, "Local governments are getting involved because
there is such a desperate need out there. They have been talking about
this for years in Washington. Hopefully we'll see something in the future
from the federal government" (Owen, Detroit Free Press,
11/6).